21-only could have negative consequences

Do we believe that the Iowa City Council knows what it is doing with the recent 21 and older law in bars? Let me share a point of view that is being overlooked and or ignored. The minimal underage drinking in bars is now no longer contained to the downtown area but it is now being spread all over Iowa City in the form of house parties.

These parties provide no security for fighting, drugs, rapes and

unlimited drinking, which will now have no time limits. The same “underage adults” who would normally go downtown to eat, drink (non-alcoholic) caffeinated drinks like Red Bull, to dance or to watch the big game and support our local team, are not likely to sit at home and will most likely end up at one of these house parties to partake in the activities that you are trying so hard to prohibit.

Common sense says that is it easier to get a beer at a house party than at a bar and it is also easier for a police officer to enter a bar to patrol illegal activities than to try to find a party behind closed doors. These young adults are not at the bar to drink alcohol but to simply be social with friends and to expand their networking options.

The only insecurity that I have seen so far is the Iowa City Council members trying to act as though they know what is best for everyone. If we try to take away these independent choices, history has proved that it will only backfire and result in poor consequences.

Jon A. Fennern

Cedar Rapids